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Bisti Badlands
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At a Glance
Location
New Mexico, USA
Tuition
$8,995
Dates
September 25 – October 1, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 8 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Bisti Badlands Photography Workshop
Otherwordly Landscapes in the New Mexico Desert
September 25 – October 1, 2027
- Beautiful sandstone formations, remote desert, and vast starry skies
- Fully outfitted camping for unparalleled access to far-flung locations
- Learn to illuminate the landscape with low light
Northwest New Mexico is an extraordinary place. The otherworldly formations of De-Na-Zin (Bisti) and Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah that define this area were shaped by ancient seas and extend for miles. The wind and rain have uncovered bones of dinosaurs that once roamed this area, and petrified cypress trees litter the ground. The hoodoos and buttes are like no other on this Earth. Thousands of compositional elements go along with the fantastic New Mexico skies.
We will spend the first few days and nights photographing the formations of Bisti Badlands. Here, we will learn composition techniques and how to light up these unique hoodoos without detracting from the night sky.
We will head into the wilds of the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah for a comfortable camping experience. With hoodoos outside our tents, we will spend time exploring and photographing instead of driving to our destination.
After our return to Farmington, we’ll have time for rest and our signature image reviews and post-processing sessions.
You can expect easy two-mile hikes in the very comfortable high desert temperatures. We will explore some unique compositions for daytime shooting and make the landscape come alive using artificial light with a star-filled sky.
Your Pros
Additional Pro TBD
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
September 24, 2027: Arrival in Durango
We recommend arriving a day before the start of the workshop in Durango, Colorado, and spending the night at the Strater Hotel at your expense.
The drive from Durango, CO, to Farmington, NM, is about an hour, and you will be responsible for being at our hotel by 1:00 PM the following day. If you do not wish to rent a vehicle, there are private taxis available. Or we can assist you with ride-sharing. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for the name of our hotel in Farmington, or if you have questions about what to do in Durango on this early day.
September 25, 2027: Meet in Farmington, Evening at Ship Rock
Arrive in Farmington, NM, by 1:00 PM. We’ll meet as a group and plan on having an early dinner. We want to give ourselves plenty of time to make it out to our location at the base of Ship Rock for sunset and stars. We’ll have snacks and plenty of water along for your comfort. We are thrilled to work with a Navajo guide who will accompany us to the best locations.
September 26, 2027: Review Ship Rock Photos, Evening Shoot at Bisti Badlands
This morning is a great time to review images captured from the night before of Ship Rock. We’ll meet in our private meeting room, and you’ll learn about assembling a night image, layer by layer, using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Then we’ll have another early dinner, giving us the time to head out to photograph the fantastic formations for sunset and stars at Bisti Badlands.
September 27, 2027: Image Review and Transition to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Camp
We’ll have breakfast together, followed by our signature image review. After the image review, we will check out of our hotel and drive out to our camp near Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. The drive is a couple of hours, and once we arrive, you’ll have time to settle into your tents and be shown where all the snacks are. This afternoon, we will explore and photograph the amazing formations of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah, well into the night.
September 28, 2027: Early Morning and Late-Night Shoots
We’ll wake early to capture the early light on the formations near camp. Then we’ll enjoy a hearty, warm breakfast served in our dining tent. You’ll have some time to relax before an early lunch. We will plan to hike to a nearby formation to photograph the sunset and the night stars. We normally arrive back at camp around 2:00 AM after enjoying and photographing the amazing stars.
September 29, 2027: Return to Farmington
The day will begin with a sunrise shoot at Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. After breakfast we’ll pack up and drive back into Farmington. We like to arrive around 1:00 PM and spend a few hours in our meeting room before we check in to our rooms. Depending on conditions, we’ll head back out to a sunset and star shoot or continue our processing lessons at the hotel.
September 30, 2027: Evening Star Photography
We’ll have another great breakfast and meet in our private meeting room for more post-processing utnil the afternoon. We’ll head back out to another sunset and star shoot.
October 1, 2027: Departure
Breakfast and final image review before the end of the workshop by 11:00 AM. You will have time to return to Durango, Colorado, for your flights home. We recommend booking flights that depart no earlier than 2:00 PM.
Life in Camp
During this workshop, you will be camping for two nights in our fully outfitted wilderness camp. Each person will be in a large tent (large enough to stand up in) shared with another guest. Everyone is provided with a cot, thick comfortable pad, and sleeping bag, and some lighting is provided inside the tents.
A separate dining tent with tables for eating will be available for everyone at all hours. Plenty of cool or hot water is available at all times, along with snacks, including fresh fruits. The outfitters are trained in wilderness cooking and wilderness first aid. Sanitary hand washing stations are set up for use.
Fitness
Moderate: Hikes up to two miles in New Mexico desert conditions.
Flights
Arrive at Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado anytime on September 24, 2027. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on October 1, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $550 supplement. (Hotel Only)
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Guided camping with custom meals and comfortable tents.
- Camp bedding: cot, sheet and sleeping bag
- Many hours of basic and advanced Lightroom instruction.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Farmington NM.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $550 supplement. (Hotel Only)
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $4,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $2,000 is due by January 1, 2027.
- The balance is due not later than May 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
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